The celebrated Oklahoma City vocalist will be joined onstage with guitar virtuoso and ACM@UCO faculty Than Medlam, with Jeff Holmes on drums and Donald Heckler holding down the low end on bass.

In this evening filled with beautiful beginnings, ACM student-led act The Jipsi Caravan Experience will open up for The Storm, adding to this unforgettable night. The JCE is the full-band lineup of Jipsi, a local OKC psychedelic rock duo comprised of ACM alumni, Andy Hopkins and Miche’la Creel. The full lineup consists of Jayce Green on keys, Eric Ahtone on bass, Lynsey Bright on synthesizer and Thomas Hurd on drums.

Shelly Phelps

The evening will also feature appearances from local artists Nora Bray and Ali Harter.

]]>https://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/2019/09/13/shelly-phelps-jipsi-caravan-experience-ali-harter-join-lineup-for-friday-event-at-vzds-in-okc/feed/0Oklahoma-raised Musician Audra Mae Announces 2 Homecoming Performances; Donation of Show Proceeds to ACM@UCOhttps://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/2019/06/11/oklahoma-raised-musician-audra-mae-announces-2-homecoming-performances-donation-of-show-proceeds-to-acmuco/
Tue, 11 Jun 2019 18:00:04 +0000http://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/?p=1894You’re probably familiar with her work even if you don’t recognize her name — L.A./Nashville-based singer-songwriter Audra Mae has co-written award-nominated songs for an array of chart-topping artists such as Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and Miranda Lambert, among others. The Oklahoma native recently announced a live stream appearance at Honest Ron’s Guitar Shop, […]]]>

You’re probably familiar with her work even if you don’t recognize her name — L.A./Nashville-based singer-songwriter Audra Mae has co-written award-nominated songs for an array of chart-topping artists such as Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and Miranda Lambert, among others.

The Oklahoma native recently announced a live stream appearance at Honest Ron’s Guitar Shop, 6:30 p.m. June 14 at 1129 N. May Ave. The following night will be a special live homecoming performance at Oklahoma City’s iconic Blue Door, 8 p.m. June 15 at 2805 N. McKinley Ave.

Audra Mae

Mae has gained critical praise for her songwriting style and her unique vocal tone, both of which emotively and deftly maneuver multiple styles and genres. Her work has been featured in 21 film and television shows, and she’s further cultivated a broad fanbase with songs that she recorded for popular television shows like The Good Wife and Sons of Anarchy.

In 2018, Mae released the album “Love, Audra Mae,” a love letter to the loyal fans that mean so much to her. It also features songwriting contributions and guest appearances from Laura “LP” Pergolizzi, Julia Karlsson, Paul O’Duffy, Jimmy Harry, Aaron Raitiere, Todd Spadafore, Sean McConnell and Anton Rundberg.

“Not one to be tied to any specific genre, Audra works with the best in country, alternative, rock, hip-hop, traditional pop, EDM and basically every other popular musical form,” the Songwriters Hall of Fame said when it awarded her its Abe Olman Scholarship in 2014.

“Audra Mae and the Almighty Sound is the exciting kind of music that gives us a reason to put on the headphones every night,” said Ear to the Ground of her 2012 album. “Her voice is smoky, sultry, and powerful.”

That album also landed a hit for Miranda Lambert, who released a cover of Mae’s “Little Red Wagon” in 2015.

Mae co-wrote the song “Fall In Line” with Christina Aguilera who performed the hit as a duet with Demi Lovato at the 2018 Billboard Awards. In a special appearance on ABC’s Nashville, Aguilera covered Mae’s “The Real Thing” as well as “Shotgun,” a song Mae wrote with Sean McConnell.

When explaining the two types of songwriters, “the kind that write for money and those that write because it’s fun,” she told the Songwriting Hall of Fame, “When I started working with the latter, that’s when my work got much better. I love collaborating because, when you have writer’s block, it’s important to have someone to bounce ideas off of.”

(Ask nicely, and Mae might tell you more about her great-aunt, Judy Garland — she’s even covered Garland’s signature song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”)

About Audra Mae

Mae grew up playing guitar and piano and performing in local theaters across the Oklahoma City metro area before graduating from Putnam City High School. She attended college at Middle Tennessee State University for a year before moving to Los Angeles with only $20 in her pocket. During her time in L.A., she performed just about anywhere and anytime the opportunity greeted her. During one of those shows, someone from a large publishing company took notice. Soon, she signed a contract with Warner/Chappell Music.

Mae also will be appearing at Honest Ron’s Guitar Shop, where Ron Lira sold Mae her first custom electric guitar made from wormwood (the distinguishable holes in the wood were filled with glitter). The following day marks her return to the Blue Door, a listening room that’s well-known for hosting legendary singer-songwriters Jimmy Webb, Eliza Gilkyson and Arlo Guthrie, among others.

She said she sees the music industry flourishing in Oklahoma and at the center of it is the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO), located in the heart of Oklahoma City’s Bricktown entertainment district. Concert proceeds will benefit ACM@UCO as it prepares students for careers in the music industry through a focused curriculum as well as real-world networking opportunities. For more information about ACM@UCO, visit acm.uco.edu.

]]>Check Out FREE deadCenter Filmmaker Panels Saturday at ACM@UCO!https://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/2019/06/07/check-out-free-deadcenter-filmmaker-panels-saturday-at-acmuco/
Fri, 07 Jun 2019 16:09:49 +0000http://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/?p=1887The Oklahoma Film+Music Office, in conjunction with deadCenter Film Festival, hosts the Oklahoma Film ICON Panel Series all day Saturday, June 8 at the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO), located on the Bricktown Canal at 25 S. Oklahoma Ave.]]>

The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) is proud to be a returning sponsor of the 19th annual deadCenter Film Festival taking place Thursday, June 6, through Sunday, June 9, 2019, at multiple locations in downtown Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma Film ICON Panel Series at ACM@UCO

OF+MO, in conjunction with deadCenter, hosts the Oklahoma Film ICON Panel Series all day Saturday, June 8 at the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO), located on the Bricktown Canal at 25 S. Oklahoma Ave.

The series features intimate conversations with special guests, including this year’s featured festival filmmakers and ICON award recipients.

These panels run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at ACM@UCO, 25. S. Oklahoma Ave. in Bricktown. Admission is free and open to the public and deadCenter festivalgoers.

Special EFX Make-up with Oklahoma Film ICON Steve LaPorte is 2 p.m. Saturday at ACM@UCO during deadCenter Film Festival. LaPorte has been lead make-up artist for “Lost,” with a Special Effects Make-Up Oscar for “Beetlejuice” and Emmy for “The X-Files.”

2019 deadCenter Film Festival

deadCenter promotes, encourages and celebrates independent films with both the organization’s annual film festival, as well as their year-round educational outreach via the deadCenter Institute. Named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “Top 20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” and “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” deadCenter received a record-breaking 1,500 film submissions this year.

One-hundred-forty films were selected, including 38 projects either made in Oklahoma or by Oklahoma filmmakers. “The Bygone,” “Hosea” and “Trolls: Stop Motion” animated series, which each utilized the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program administered by OF+MO, will screen at the festival.

Earlier this year at the festival’s May kick-off event, OF+MO was named one of deadCenter’s Oklahoma Film ICON Award recipients in recognition of OF+MO’s 40th anniversary as a state office. This distinction honors individuals or organizations with ties to Oklahoma whose success in the film and entertainment sector has elevated the global perception of the state within the film industry. This year’s other Icon Award honorees are Academy Award winning make-up artist and Oklahoma City native Steve La Porte, OU graduate and gaffer and lighting technician Steve Mathis and renowned location scout and Enid native Alison Naifeh.

“OF+MO is honored to continue its sponsorship of the deadCenter Film Festival in its 19th year,” said OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky. “The growth of the deadCenter Film Festival alongside our local film industry has been tremendous, and we’re so proud of the Oklahoma representation across the board at this year’s festival. We look forward to recognizing the accomplishments of our industry at deadCenter as well as connecting with festival audiences at the educational ICON panel series. On behalf of OF+MO, I would like to thank deadCenter as well as the hosting venue, ACM@UCO, for their contributions to the festival’s panel series.”

For a complete schedule of screenings and events as well as information on purchasing all-access passes and tickets, please visit deadcenterfilm.org.

About Oklahoma Film + Music Office

Created in 1979, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma’s film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office please visit okfilmmusic.org.

]]>The Space Program Hip-Hop Collective Inspires ‘Fortitude, Resilience and Innovation’https://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/2019/05/09/the-space-program-hip-hop-collective-inspires-fortitude-resilience-and-innovation/
Thu, 09 May 2019 15:59:12 +0000http://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/?p=1873The Space Program, a hip-hop collective of more than two dozen Black, collegiate artists and entrepreneurs from across Oklahoma, features UCO-tied alumni and students, including audio engineer Myles Adams; Christopher G. Acoff, aka Original Flow, who earned a Music Business degree at ACM@UCO and ACM Contemporary Music Production graduate James Curd, aka Deezy.]]>

The Space Program, a hip-hop collective of more than two dozen Black, collegiate artists and entrepreneurs from across Oklahoma, recently released the album “Curriculum of the Mind,” which was celebrated April 25 with a showcase at ACM@UCO Performance Lab.

Christopher G. Acoff, aka Original Flow

Among others, the TSP collective features UCO-tied alumni and students, including audio engineer Myles Adams; Christopher G. Acoff, aka Original Flow, who earned a Music Business degree at ACM@UCO; ACM Contemporary Music Production graduate James Curd, aka Deezy; and UCO student Makeen Khalifa, aka Makeen.

“The true essence of this dissertation album was the ability to see the progression of students, particularly ACM students (e.g. artists, poets, rappers, producers, audio engineers, etc.), come together and masterfully create something that will forever be timeless, both in the hip-hop and educational communities,” said TSP’s CEO, DJ and producer Dr. View, aka Stevie Johnson, who is also the former Assistant Director of Diversity Retention in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Central Oklahoma.

“Many studies do not allow students to authentically express themselves in ways that speak to their epistemological and ontological perspectives. The fortitude, resilience and innovation of these students developed a new avenue of hip-hop scholarship that academia not only has to respect, but that will be used as a blueprint for educators for years to come,” Johnson said.

“In short, these students is helping the world recognize that hip-hop and education can and will work together for the betterment of creating social change,” he added.

]]>Two ACM Students Earn Top Songwriting Prizes in Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contesthttps://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/2019/05/02/two-acm-students-earn-top-songwriting-prizes-in-jimmy-lafave-songwriting-contest/
Thu, 02 May 2019 16:48:09 +0000http://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/?p=1870Two students at the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO) recently earned two top awards in the annual Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest.]]>

Two students at the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO) recently earned two top awards in the annual Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest.

Dallas Parker

Three of the four finalists, selected from 74 entries as finalists in the second annual Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest in April, were ACM students: “Breathless” by Chloe-Beth Campbell, “Angels Lullaby” by Ashliann Rivera and “Abilities” by Dallas Parker (Faux Draco). The fourth finalist was “Hollyhocks and Morning Glories” by longtime Tulsa singer-songwriter Scott Aycock.

The four performed April 30 in Stillwater. Parker won first place, which secured a lineup slot in the Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café festival on May 1, along with a $500 cash prize plus a $500 donation made in his name to the nonprofit Red Dirt Relief Fund. Campbell won the People’s Choice award, earning her a $100 prize.

Chloe-Beth Campbell

Parker, who performs under the name Faux Draco, is a freshman contemporary music production student at ACM and a rapper from Oklahoma City. Campbell is a freshman ACM contemporary music production student from Enid, and released her debut full-length album, Remnant, last year.

Rivera is freshman contemporary music performance major at ACM. The singer-songwriter was born in Brooklyn and raised in Oklahoma City. She has released three EPs in the last three years.

]]>OKF+MO Seeks Applicants for 2019 Summer Internship Programhttps://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/2019/04/26/okfmo-seeks-applicants-for-2019-summer-internship-program/
Fri, 26 Apr 2019 19:37:04 +0000http://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/?p=1867The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) is now accepting applications for the 2019 Summer Internship Program. OF+MO seeks to provide selected interns with an understanding of the film and music industries in a professional state agency setting by involving them in diverse projects throughout the summer.]]>

The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) is now accepting applications for the 2019 Summer Internship Program. OF+MO seeks to provide selected interns with an understanding of the film and music industries in a professional state agency setting by involving them in diverse projects throughout the summer.

The Oklahoma Film + Music Office is particularly interested in candidates with experience in or enthusiasm for film, music, publicrelations or marketing for specialized projects. Interns will be selected based on previous experience, professionalism and university level. Priority will be given to those in their junior or senior year. Previous office experience is a plus.

Position Details

Intern responsibilities will include researching and compiling film and music events throughout Oklahoma for our website and our monthly newsletter, Now Playing. Chosen candidates will gain valuable experience in the development of OF+MO’s Production Directory, Locations Directory and Music Directory by assisting in research and data input.

Interns will also support the office by locating and archiving press articles, conducting research, assisting with marketing inventory and/or other various special projects.

Interns may be given the opportunity to participate in locations scouting and set visits, experience special events sponsored by OF+MO and will be exposed to other divisions within tourism. Assistance with general office opening and closing duties is required and expected on a daily basis. Internships are not production-based.

All internships are unpaid and open to those seeking college credit toward graduation. It is the responsibility of the intern and the student’s advisor to track their hours and complete all enrollment and coursework requirements in accordance to their college or university.

This internship will last nine weeks, beginning the week of June 3. If interested, please submit a resume and cover letter to Jeanette Stanton at jeanette.stanton@travelok.com.

]]>Check Out More Than 3 Dozen UCO and ACM-Tied Acts This Weekend at Norman Music Festivalhttps://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/2019/04/25/check-out-more-than-3-dozen-uco-and-acm-tied-acts-this-weekend-at-norman-music-festival/
Thu, 25 Apr 2019 18:21:27 +0000http://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/?p=1853During this weekend's Norman Music Festival along Main Street in Norman, more than three dozen music acts will feature students, alumni, faculty and staff at University of Central Oklahoma and the Academy of Contemporary Music at UCO.]]>

During this weekend’s Norman Music Festival in Norman, more than three dozen music acts will feature students, alumni, faculty and staff from the University of Central Oklahoma and the Academy of Contemporary Music at UCO.

NMF runs April 25-27 along Main Street in downtown Norman. Admission is free and open to the public. Event headliners include Beach Fossils, Soccer Mommy, Black Milk with band Nat Turner, The Garden, Omar Apollo, Night Beats, Skating Polly, Mega Ran and more over three days on multiple indoor and outdoor stages.

]]>Check Out the Steamroller Festival Saturday in Deep Deucehttps://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/2019/04/24/check-out-the-steamroller-festival-saturday-in-deep-deuce/
Wed, 24 Apr 2019 15:30:23 +0000http://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/?p=1843Admission to the Steamroller Festival is free and open to the public and includes music, food, drinks and printing demonstrations. It runs 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 in the Deep Deuce district, near 1 E. Third St. in downtown Oklahoma City.]]>

The Steamroller Festival showcases the printing of large-scale woodblocks carved by local professional artists, collegiate artists and 108 high school students in Artspace’s Mentorship program.

Admission to the event is free and open to the public and includes music, food, drinks and printing demonstrations. It runs 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 in the Deep Deuce district, near 1 E. Third St. in downtown Oklahoma City.

Steamroller Festival is Artspace at Untitled’s largest community event of the year, drawing hundreds of people from all over the state and region.

This one-day festival is rooted in the printing of large-scale woodblocks carved by local Oklahoma artists! A 5-ton steamroller helps print pre-carved blocks throughout the day on Tyvek paper. Printing also happens inside in a in-house printmaking studio, and demos are done throughout the day.

You won’t want to miss the live music, artist vendors and food trucks at this family-friendly event. All ages are welcome, and the festival also features a kids’ tent filled with activities for younger attendees. It is sure to be a fun, art-filled day as our community supports working and exhibiting Oklahoma artists.

Learn more about Artspace at Untitled and the Steamroller Festival 1ne3.org.

]]>Hip-Hop and Spoken-Word Collective The Space Program Sets April 25 Showcase at ACM@UCO Performance Labhttps://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/2019/04/17/hip-hop-and-spoken-word-collective-the-space-program-sets-april-25-showcase-at-acmuco-performance-lab/
Wed, 17 Apr 2019 18:10:19 +0000http://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/?p=1809The Space Program celebrates its first showcase Thursday, April 25 at ACM@UCO Performance Lab, 329 E. Sheridan Ave., in Oklahoma City. Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is 7:30 p.m. Admission is only $5 at the door!]]>

The Space Program celebrates its first showcase Thursday, April 25 at ACM@UCO Performance Lab, 329 E. Sheridan Ave., in Oklahoma City. Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is 7:30 p.m.

Come out and support the collective as they put on not just a dope show, but a dope experience. Merch also will be available.

Formed in 2017, The Space Program (TSP) is a Black collegian hip-hop collective from higher education institutions across the state of Oklahoma. It creatively disrupts anti-Black, anti-Semitic, imperialist, white, patriarchal institutions that oppress Black people, through the creation and production of a hip-hop album, Curriculum of the Mind.

The name stems from the track “Space Program” by A Tribe Called Quest, which makes the argument that “There ain’t a space program for ni**as.”

The Space Program Collective sonically, empirically and ingeniously provides a new “Space Program” for hip-hop scholarship and praxis, both in the academy and the community at large. The Collective additionally provides for a community of Black males that currently attend, have graduated, or stopped out at historically white colleges within the past 10 years, who also identify as artists, rappers, musicians, producers, poets, activists, b-boys, disc jockeys (DJ’s), audio engineers, historians, entrepreneurs, graffiti artists, graphic and web designers, campus leaders, scholars, photographers, videographers and/or hip-hop collegians.

New generations call for new voices, and new areas of inquiry, and this is your notice that class is in session. For Dr. View and the Space Program Collective, it always has been.

]]>Oklahoma Songwriters Festival Happens Friday and Saturday in OKC Metrohttps://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/2019/04/10/oklahoma-songwriters-festival-happens-friday-and-saturday-in-okc-metro/
Wed, 10 Apr 2019 20:54:00 +0000http://blogs.uco.edu/acmbackbeatblog/?p=1785Spearheaded by Oklahoma native Zac Maloy, the Oklahoma Songwriter's Festival, happening April 12-13, is a multi-day event that serves as an invaluable opportunity for local songwriters, musicians, music fans and anyone working in or interested in the music industry.]]>

Spearheaded by Oklahoma native Zac Maloy, the Oklahoma Songwriter’s Festival is a multi-day event that serves as an invaluable opportunity for local songwriters, musicians, music fans and anyone working in or interested in the music industry.

The fourth annual Oklahoma Songwriters Festival, co-presented by Grand Casino Hotel & Resort and the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) and sponsored in part by The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO), happens Friday and Saturday, April 12-13, with a ticketed Friday evening dinner, a Saturday morning Songwriting Camp and the state’s one-of-a-kind musical roundtable, The Songwriter Showcase, on Saturday evening.

The Oklahoma Songwriters Festival was created in 2016 by Ada native Zac Maloy, singer and songwriter for The Nixons (an Oklahoma-based rock band that rose to fame in the 1990s) in an effort to highlight songwriters and the art of songwriting. Each year, Maloy returns home from Nashville, Tennessee, to Oklahoma for the festival, inviting award-winning Music City songwriters to perform and write alongside local musicians.

“Each year, our songwriters are not only so candid and genuine in sharing their talents on our stage, but it’s their day-to-day work ethic and passion for the field that strengthens this genre year over year, making for a better show each time,” Maloy said. “Here we are at year four and I honestly believe this is the strongest collective lineup we have ever had.”

Songwriting Camp, 11 a.m. Saturday
Castle Row Studios, Del City

For the third year, the festival will include a Songwriting Camp, presented by the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, 11 a.m. Saturday at Castle Row Studios, 2908 Epperly Drive, in Del City.

This workshop includes an interactive panel discussion and Q&A with songwriters. A one-on-one mentoring session with both Maloy and Nashville songwriter Marcus Hummon also will be awarded to two attendees.

Songwriter Showcase, 7 p.m. Saturday
Tower Theatre, Oklahoma City

The festival concludes with its annual Songwriter Showcase, happening at the iconic Tower Theatre that Saturday evening. The Showcase begins at 7 p.m. with a presentation format frequently used in Nashville, called a “writer round.”

This event starts with a local round, with the main event featuring Nashville songwriters singing the hits they’ve penned and telling the stories behind the music.

Along with Maloy, this year’s Nashville-based songwriters include Oklahoma native Brett James, ASCAP’s 2010 Country Songwriter of the Year (credits include Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and more); Tulsa-born David Hodges, former member of Evanescence (credits include Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” and more); and Marcus Hummon, dubbed Nashville’s Renaissance Man (credits include Rascal Flatts’ “Bless The Broken Road” and more).

NOTE: Saturday evening’s Songwriter Showcase is a ticketed event. Students can use the OSFSTUDENT discount code to receive 50 percent off, making general admission only $8!

“The Oklahoma Film + Music Office values the opportunity to be a returning partner with the Oklahoma Songwriters Festival,” said OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky. “Our state’s musical legacy and cultivating the next generation of Oklahoma talent are very important to us. This festival opens doors for local and regional songwriters — seasoned and aspiring talent — to network and build relationships with some of Nashville’s most prolific songwriters.”